Wild Dog (lycaon pictus) also referred to as the painted dog.
Other languages:
In Afrikaans: wildehond
In Shona: mhumhi
In Zulu: nkontshane
Facts:
Wild Dogs are nomadic and the home range of a pack can stretch for several hundred kilometres. They are fearless animals with a considerable stamina, which is required to run down their prey. They can reach a top speed of 64 km per hour and are able to maintain a speed of 45 km per hour for a distance of nearly 5 km. They are successful in their hunts and kill about 85% of the prey they pursue. Wild Dogs live in packs of between 3 or 4 individuals and sometimes up to 30 or 40 individuals.
Their social behaviour is well ordered, with definite hierarchies which ensure that each individual animal knows his place. Prior to a hunt they pursue activities such as muzzle licking and bouts of playing – this causes great excitement among the pack. The young are usually reared in antbear holes and when weaned, will be fed by the pack members upon return from a successful hunt – this by regurgitating the meat.
Distribution:
The Wild Dog was found in 39 countries all over sub-Saharan Africa even up in the snows of the majestic Kilimanjaro! Sadly today the Wild Dog is classed as an endangered species , is considered to be extinct in 23 countries in Africa and only 6 countries now hold significant numbers.
Threats:
Daily Wild Dogs face more threats to their survival. Their home ranges are more frequently being reduced by human encroachment and their pet domestic dogs. The diseases like rabies and distemper carried by the domestic dogs have caused local extinctions in Wild Dog populations. The Wild Dogs also fall prey to illegal snaring, road kills, shooting and poisoning. This due to the fact that many game farmers and land owners treat the Wild Dogs as pests and continue to eliminate them from their land. This persecution by man and the loss of habitat and prey has accelerated their decline. Only about three to five thousand Wild Dogs are left in Africa today. More information:
Vanessa Bezuidenhout is the Director of Fundraising and Marketing of The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), who manage the African Wild Dog Conservation program. The African wild dog, southern Africa's most endangered carnivore and one of the most endangered carnivore species in the world. The wild dog has been the focus of a major study program in the Kruger National Park (South Africa) since 1990, a study that has been largely sponsored by the EWT, including three population surveys. The Park contains the only viable population of wild dogs in South Africa, and the information and knowledge gained from this study has been used to improve management strategies for the species. In 1997 an International Workshop on the conservation of the wild dog was held in Pretoria. Out of this workshop the Wild Dog Advisory Group (WAG), was formed. WAG’s major objective is the establishment of a second viable population of wild dogs through the establishment of several small populations that will be managed as a metapopulation. This goal is close to being realized. For more information on conservation and an insight into the fascinating habits of the Wild Dog, visit www.ewt.org.za/ or contact Vanessa on
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